Combination return address and receipt indicating answer card device

ABSTRACT

A blank adapted to be adhesively secured to an envelope or package and having a removable card section with address receiving indicia on one side and receipt indicating indicia on the other. A removable flap portion is provided which may be folded down to cover the upper stamp receiving portion of the return address receiving side of the removable card section. Adhesive is provided on portions of the blank which bound the removable card section to permit the device to be attached return address side up.

United States Patent Ward [is] 3,655,121 [451 Apr. 11, 1972 [72] Inventor: Alice E. M. Ward, 15 S. Elm Street, Mt.

Prospect, Ill. 60056 [22] Filed: Oct. 14,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 80,650

2,909,313 10/ 1 959 Maish ..229/92.8

3,270,948 9/1966 Donovan ..229/73 3,460,744 8/1969 Turkenkofi ..229/92.1

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 909,940 l/l 946 France ..229/93.8

Primary Examiner-Davis T. Moorhead Attorney-Leannan & McCulloch 52 us. Cl. ..229/92.8, 283/21, 40/2 R ABSTRACT i A blank adapted to be adhesively secured to an envelope or 1 o are package and having a removable card section with address receiving indicia on one side and receipt indicating indicia on the other. A removable flap portion is provided which may be [56] References Cited folded down to cover the upper stamp receiving portion of the UNITED STATES PATENTS return address receiving side of the removable card section. Adhesive is provided on portions of the blank which bound gfifi 9 8 532 1 the removable card section to permit the device to be attached I 1ams return address ide u 2,328,380 8/1943 Feder ..229/92.8 x p 2,430,626 I 1/1947 Weinschenk ..229/92.8 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 5 l i i LIFT FLAP FOR ANSWER L nen-1E l l I I I I w" E FROM |8 i Q l i l I l6 l 1 l I 1 i l I I I I l I l l COMBINATION RETURN ADDRESS AND RECEIPT INDICATIN G ANSWER CARD DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 7 sequently functions as a reply card to be mailed by the addressee to the sender as an acknowledgment of receipt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is common business practice to have the receiver of mail acknowledge receipt thereof by mailing a card affixed to the envelope back to the sender. It is also common practice for the mailer to affix his address thereto so that in the event the envelope is not delivered to the addressee for any reason, it may then be returned to the sender by the postal system.

The present practice of placing a senders return address on the envelope or package to be mailed, as well as on the return receipt card, amounts to an unnecessary duplication of effort and it is an important object of the present invention to provide a device which will function both as the return address label for a sender and also as an already addressed, acceptable return receipt card to be mailed back by the addressee.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel return receipt card which is convenient and inexpensive to use and has space thereon for a message.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A sheet or blank having adhesive along the marginal portions of one side for securing the sheet to an envelope or package to be mailed, the sheet including tear facilitating impressed lines defining a first removable card section bounded by said marginal portions, and having an address receiving portion with address receiving indicia printed thereon on the opposite side of the sheet from the adhesive, and a removable flap section adapted to be folded to overly only the upper stamp receiving portion of the removable card section to leave the address receiving portion exposed.

The present invention may more readily be described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a dual-purpose card blank constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an opposite side elevational view;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the blank taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the blank with the flap folded down, secured to a package so that the address receiving portion can function as a return address label;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 5- 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the device with the overlying flap removed; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the removable card section, showing it removed and ready to function as a return receipt card.

DESCRIPTION The invention is particularly adapted for use with mailing devices such as letters, packages and the like and, for purposes of illustration I have elected to show a package P (see FIGS. 4 and 5 particularly). The addressees name is printed n the front of the package P and the card device I have invented may be affixed to the upper left-hand corner of the package, in the case of large packages, or to the rear face of a smaller package or envelope. In the present instance the device is shown attached to the rear face of a small package.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which I havedisclosed only a preferred form of the invention, the blank, which I have chosen to generally designate B, comprises a sheet, preferably formed of card stock of a weight comparable to or slightly lighter than United States government post card stock, and typically may be 4% inches X 5- /8 inches. In FIG. 1, the address-receiving side 10 of the blank is shown as having address-receiving indicia lines 11 in a central card section designated 12 which is defined by impressed, tear facilitating, perforated lines 13 at the sides, and 14 along the bottom. At its top, the card section 12 is defined by a similar impressed perforated line 15 which separates the card section 12 from an upper flap section 16, adapted to be folded down over the upper portion of the card section 12, when the device is being used, in a manner which will be later explained. Typically, the flap may be an 1 inch in width. The side portions of the blank B, which bound the card portion 12, are designated 17, and the bottom portion, which bounds the card portion 12, is identified by the numeral 18. Typically, these portions may be of an inch in width. It will be observed that the perforated line 15 extends across the side portions 17, as at 15a and that the perforated lines 13 extend across the flap section 16 as at 13a. Adhesive film coatings 17a, of a conventional type which preferably are rendered tacky or activated by water or saliva, are provided on the side boundary portions 17 above the flap fold line portions 15a. Also printed on the address-receiving side 12 of the blank is additional indicia in the form of the word To, and a stampreceiving rectangle 18, as also shown in FIG. I. As FIG. 4 indicates, the flap portion 16, when folded down, covers the word To and rectangle 18.

On the opposite receipt-indicating side 19 of the blank B (see FIG. 2), the word From is inversely printed on the flap portion 16, as shown, and the side boundary portions 17 below perforate line portions 15a, and the bottom boundary portion 18, are provided with adhesive film coatings 20a and 20b respectively, of the character previously mentioned. Also provided on this side of the flap portion 16 is the inversely printed instruction Lift flap for answer label," and, printed on the card section 12 portion of the blank are indicia 21 and 22 respectively, provided to facilitate writing in the date of receipt of the item mailed and any remarks which the receiver would care to make. Optionally an indicia line 23 may be provided to facilitate the inscription of an appropriate salutation.

The ruled lines for inserting the name and address of the sender on the face 10 are located to register with the line spacer on typewriters equipped with standard pica, elite, and certain other type faces. The words and ruled lines on the opposite face 19, for inscribing a receipt acknowledgment, its data, etc., are also so located. The over-all spacing chosen is, or should be, adequate to permit convenient longhand writing of the several inscriptions. The words and ruled lines on the face 19 are arranged in a sequence calculated to evoke an intelligible and logical response from the inscriber (the addressee).

FIGS. 4 through 7 particularly illustrate the manner in which the blank B is conditioned for use and applied to a package or envelope to be mailed. The party mailing the package or envelope, first of all, inscribes the addressees name and address on the front side 24 of package P in the usual manner, and affixes sufficient postage to the package for the weight of the blank B and package P. In the case of a smaller package, such as illustrated, the blank B will then be affixed to the opposite side of the package. The party sending the package first inscribes his own name and address on the printed lines 11, and may afiix a postage stamp of postal card denomination over the rectangle 18. He, or she, then moistens the adhesive film portions 17a and folds the flap 16 downwardly so that it overlies the word To, and the postage stamp affixed, as shown in FIG. 4, and mails the package. When flap 16 is folded down, the words From and Lift Flap For Answer Label are visible and instructive. When the package is received, the party receiving it need only lift the central portion of the flap 16 upwardly which tears the flap section 16 along the upper portions 13a of the lines of perforation 13, and then may remove the central portion of the flap 16 completely by tearing it off along the perforated line 15. Doing this reveals the word To" and the postage stamp, if one has been affixed.

In FIG. 6, the flap 16 has been removed and the receiver of the package may then grasp the upper edge of the card section 12 centrally and tear it first downwardly along the lines of perforations 13, and finally laterally, along the line of perforations 14, to remove the card portion 12. The removed, pre-addressed and preferably stamped card section 12 is shown in FIG. 7, and need only be dropped into a convenient mail box by the party receiving the package, after he or she has noted the date of receipt and otherwise inscribed the receipt indicating face 19 of the card 12 in the manner desired. Thus, with a minimum amount of time and effort on the part of both the sender and the receiver, a convenient vehicle is provided for acknowledging delivery of the letter or package and facilitating the inscription of any brief, pertinent comment in addition.

it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various changes may be made to achieve the same or similar results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A device for use with mailing envelopes, packages, and the like, including: first and second sheet sections adapted to be secured in superposed disposition; said first sheet section including impressed tear facilitating boundary lines defining a removable card having one side with an upper stamp receiving portion and a lower address receiving portion adapted to have an address inscribed thereon; the opposite side of said card having receipt indicating space thereon; said second section also including impressed tear facilitating boundary lines defining a removable flap section of a width to cover said upper stamp receiving portion while leaving said address receiving portion exposed; and means for securing said first and second sections in said superposed disposition.

2. The device set forth n claim 1 wherein said removable flap includes indicia on its exposed face indicating that an address to be inscribed on said address receiving portion is that of an addressor.

3. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said first mentioned tear facilitating lines define marginal strip portions on said first sheet section having adhesive on the receipt indicating side thereof, for securing said first sheet section to a mailing envelope.

4. The device set forth in claim 3 wherein said second mentioned tear facilitating lines define marginal strip portions on said second sheet section; and said means for securing said first and second sheet sections in superposed disposition comprises a dried, moisture activated adhesive on the marginal strip portions of one of said first and second sheet sections.

5. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said card includes indicia on said upper portion of the card positioned so as to be covered by said removable flap and indicating that a stamp is to be placed thereon and the address below is that of a mailee.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the receipt indicating side includes, on said card, indicia for inscribing the date of receipt and any pertinent comments.

7. A blank comprising: a sheet of material, adhesive means along at least two marginal portions of one side of said sheet for securing said sheet to said envelope; said sheet including tear facilitating impressed lines inwardly of said marginal portions defining a removable card section with address receiving indicia inscribed on the opposite side of said sheet and receipt indicating indicia inscribed on the said one side.

8. The combination defined in claim 7 in which an impressed line across the upper portion of said blank defines a flapsection adapted to be folded down to overlie the upper portion of the a dress receiving side of said sheet while eaving the address receiving indicia exposed.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 in which an activatable adhesive film is applied to the side boundary portions of the flap for securing the flap in folded over position.

10. The combination defined in claim 7 in which said adhesive means comprises a coating applied to the side and bottom boundary portions, but not to the upper boundary portion. 

1. A device for use with mailing envelopes, packages, and the like, including: first and second sheet sections adapted to be secured in superposed disposition; said first sheet section including impressed tear facilitating boundary lines defining a removable card having one side with an upper stamp receiving portion and a lower address receiving portion adapted to have an address inscribed thereon; the opposite side of said card having receipt indicating space thereon; said second section also including impressed tear facilitating boundary lines defining a removable flap section of a width to cover said upper stamp receiving portion while leaving said address receiving portion exposed; and means for securing said first and second sections in said superposed disposition.
 2. The device set forth n claim 1 wherein said removable flap includes indicia on its exposed face indicating that an address to be inscribed on said address receiving portion is that of an addressor.
 3. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said first mentioned tear facilitating lines define marginal strip portions Pg,11 on said first sheet section having adhesive on the receipt indicating side thereof, for securing said first sheet section to a mailing envelope.
 4. The device set forth in claim 3 wherein said second mentioned tear facilitating lines define marginal strip portions on said second sheet section; and said means for securing said first and second sheet sections in superposed disposition comprises a dried, moisture activated adhesive on the marginal strip portions of one of said first and second sheet sections.
 5. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said card includes indicia on said upper portion of the card positioned so as to be covered by said removable flap and indicating that a stamp is to be placed thereon and the address below is that of a mailee.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the receipt indicating side includes, on said card, indicia for inscribing the date of receipt and any pertinent comments.
 7. A blank comprising: a sheet of material, adhesive means along at least two marginal portions of one side of said sheet for securing said sheet to said envelope; said sheet including tear facilitating impressed lines inwardly of said marginal portions defining a removable card section with address receiving indicia inscribed on the opposite side of said sheet and receipt indicating indicia inscribed on the said one side.
 8. The combination defined in claim 7 in which an impressed line across the upper portion of said blank defines a flap section adapted to be folded down to overlie the upper portion of the address receiving side of said sheet while leaving the address receiving indicia exposed.
 9. The combination defined in claim 8 in which an activatable adhesive film is applied to the side boundary portions of the flap for securing the flap in folded over position.
 10. The combination defined in claim 7 in which said adhesive means comprises a coating applied to the side and bottom boundary portions, but not to the upper boundary portion. 